Tag Archives: spirit

Body, Mind and Spirit

Fitness is most often equated with exercise.  But it’s so important that when striving for overall health, we look at not only the body but the mind and spirit as well. I like to think of this as a wheel with three spokes.  One spoke represents the body, one the mind and the other spirit.  When one spoke is broken or missing, everything is thrown off balance. Body is the part where we focus on exercise and eating right.  The type of exercise and eating plan will be different for each person.  It’s going to depend on where you live, … Continue reading →

Dozed and Confused

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I don’t know what’s going on, but I have to say something. Is it just me, or are more and more folks falling asleep at church? I mean, okay, I’ve heard the jokes for years across all denominations, but until recently, I don’t think I’ve seen so many folks dozing as I have in the past month or two. Let me tell you the story of the first talk I ever gave in church. I hadn’t been a member for more than nine months, maybe less than that. I had recently moved, so I didn’t know a lot of people. … Continue reading →

General Conference From the Past: “Look to God and Live”

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In October 1978, Elder Carlos E. Asay of the Quorum of the Seventy gave a talk entitled “Look to God and Live.” In this talk, he described the importance of keeping our gaze focused on Christ. In doing so, we, too, might look to our Father in Heaven and receive eternal life. Elder Asay provides various stories, in and out of the scriptures. He begins by speaking of a man who had sunk low. Involved in drinking and in drugs, this man always kept his head low, focused on the feet of those around him. Said Elder Asay, “this alcoholic … Continue reading →

Gospel Doctrine: Did Not Our Heart Burn?

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Yesterday, we spoke somewhat concerning the scriptures that Christ cited as He walked with His disciples. Today, I would like to talk a bit about the result of those scriptures, and the testimony of the Holy Ghost. Following His resurrection, Jesus met two of His disciples on the road to Emmaus. They did not recognize Him, and so told Him of the crucifixion of their Master. They shared the report of the women who visited the sepulchre. He obviously saw that they were slow to believe the reports of these witnesses, for He called them “fools, and slow of heart … Continue reading →

General Conference From the Past: “Women of Righteousness”

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In a devotional address given at BYU on March 13, 2001, Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve addressed the role of women, and how God views them. This was a wonderful talk that I, as a stay-at-home mom, particularly took to heart. It is very uplifting and, as Elder Ballard stated, good for both women and men to read and ponder. He begins by quoting a letter sent to church headquarters from an LDS woman who felt as though she were living a lie. Despite a strong testimony of the gospel, she doubted her value beyond … Continue reading →

Gospel Doctrine: Doubting Thomas

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Usually, when we think of those who did not walk in faith, our minds turn to the disciple Thomas. He proclaimed, “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (John 20:25) However, as I reread the scriptures today, I saw other disciples who were equally doubtful – in fact, all of them! When Mary and the other women left the tomb, they ran to the apostles – to those who served most closely with Christ! … Continue reading →

How to Help Your Teen Prepare For Seminary

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Yesterday we talked about ways that you might unintentionally NOT help your teenager get ready for Seminary. Today, we’re going to look at positive ways to support them in their learning process. In yesterday’s blog, we discussed the fact that force has no place in the gospel. To truly have their decisions righteous, your teenager needs to make them because he wants to, not because you force them to. So how can you encourage your child without appearing too forceful? Here are just a few suggestions; I am sure that those of you with experience can add a few more. … Continue reading →

Teaching Your Children to Recognize the Spirit

One of the most important things we can do to help our children is to teach them how to recognize the spirit. It can be difficult for an adult to recognize the promptings of the Holy Ghost, but it is important to help your children recognize these promptings. There are several things that you can do to help your children. The most important is to talk to your children about the Holy Ghost. You can explain to them that the Holy Ghost can be felt as a warm feeling in their hearts or sometimes a thought that enters into their … Continue reading →

Gospel Doctrine: The Signs of the Times

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All too often, we hear about “the signs of the time.” Perhaps we look at the great disasters that have befallen the world in the last few years, the wars and rumors of wars, and think these are signs of the Savior’s coming. Interestingly enough, the early Saints looked at various disasters, trials and tribulations and thought the Savior would soon return to Earth. I believe it was Brigham Young who admonished a brother to continue with temporal preparation, and in the Wilford Woodruff manual last year, the prophet noted that he would look for signs of the Savior’s coming, … Continue reading →

Visiting Teaching: Spiritual Promptings

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One of the greatest claims that we have once we have been confirmed as members of Christ’s church is the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. So long as we keep our lives in order, so long as we constantly strive to draw closer to our Savior, we have both the blessing and the right to claim divine inspiration as it is needed in our lives. This month’s visiting teaching lesson focuses on how we, as sisters, can become an instrument in God’s hands as we listen to and obey the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Many times in our … Continue reading →